Vanity Pillow

ABSTRACT

A vanity pillow for absorption of liquids, catch of personal-cleaning scatter or splatter, and wipe or cleanup of cosmetics applicators and other personal-hygiene implements is disclosed. The pillow includes a hollow tubular pillow case receptacle having a tubular pillow positioned within to form a ring around the edge of a sink or basin in a bathroom or vanity. Both pillow and pillow case are of absorbent material(s) which are machine-washable. A plurality of fabric fringes may be arranged along the length of the vanity pillow to enhance its absorbency and ability to easily wipe or clean personal-care implements. Pocket(s) may be provided upon the pillow case for accessory storage. Added cleanup cloth material may be provided at the ends of the tubular pillow case to allow for manual cleanup.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 62/437,466 filed Dec. 21, 2016 entitled “Vanity Pillow”, the entirecontent of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an absorbent personal care and cleaningproduct for prevention and clean-up of spills and/or stains occurring inthe course of personal-hygiene activities such as face- or hand-washing,(face or neck) shaving, flossing or brushing teeth, and application andcleanup of cosmetics, and more particularly to an absorbent,machine-washable pillow and pillow case which may surround the sink of abathroom vanity at which such activities may be conducted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Personal-hygiene activities such as face- or hand-washing, (face orneck) shaving, flossing or brushing teeth, and application and cleanupof cosmetics, which activities generally are conducted over or at avanity sink or freestanding lavatory bowl, may result in spillage orscattering of water, personal-care products, or other detritus on oraround the rim of the sink or vanity countertop. These spills andscatters require cleanup, at times painstaking, involving at the veryleast wipe-up with plain water and, depending on necessity, possible useof separate bathroom-cleaning products or even vacuuming.

Also, in the process of skin care and cosmetic makeup application,cosmetics are applied through use of brushes, pads, and otherapplicators. Generally, the cosmetics applied are highly viscous, suchas foundation, concealer, or mascara, or comprised of a fine particles,such as blush or powder. After application any remaining cosmetics arenormally left upon the applicators which can lead to caking of thecosmetics, which decreases the ease and effectiveness of futureapplication of cosmetics with the applicator. In many cases, a cleaningagent is required to be applied to the applicators in order to removeany caked on excess cosmetics to return the applicator to working order.This is a time-consuming process which adds to the period required forcosmetics application.

In some cases, a towel or other cloth material is used for wiping ofapplicators to remove any excess cosmetics, as well as for cleaning upany spills or scatter which may occur on or around a sink or basin.Generally speaking, towels or other cloth materials for which stainingand wipe-up are acceptable uses are typically not also suitable fordecorative display in the lavatory. They may be capable of cleaning upsome of a liquid spill, but excess may not be adequately contained toprevent spread beyond the vanity. Further, spills of dry materials, suchas powdered makeups, cannot be adequately absorbed or contained in thefibers of a towel. Rather, use of a towel to clean up detritus usuallyinvolves wetting the towel first to create a wet mixture of the dryproduct, which in turn can spread the spill further in a paste or liquidform about the vanity space. Wetting such typically dry materials alsoincreases the chances of causing stain formation in vulnerable vanitylinens. Due to the poor ability of towels to address the cleanup needsof spills and scatters around a vanity, there is an increased risk ofsuch unwanted materials accidentally coming into contact with purelydecorative lavatory linens, transferring the adherent cosmetics, andthus ruining them.

At present, existent means for maintaining a vanity area from spillageor scattering of liquids and detritus on or around the rim of a sink orfreestanding bowl is disadvantageous as it requires additional time andeffort in cleanup without a means which may be conveniently implementedat the time of the spill in and around the area of a vanity sink withthe necessary ability to clean up both the area of the sink as well ascosmetics applicators. Thus, a means to ensure the cleanliness, withreasonable effort and minimum time, of the sink or bowl as well aspersonal-care products is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an absorbent, machine-washable,personal-care vanity pillow and pillow case product comprising a tubularfabric pillow and pillow case having a suitable shape to accommodate theshape and surround a sink, basin, or face bowl in a personal vanity,bathroom, or kitchen (hereafter, “vanity”). This vanity pillow deviceacts as an absorbent buffer positioned around the mouth of a vanitybeing useful for use with performance of personal-care and hygieneactivities in the immediate area of a vanity. Such activities including,but not limited to, face- or hand-washing, face and neck shaving,flossing or brushing teeth, application and cleanup of cosmetics, andcleanup of splatters and drips. In use the vanity pillow will aid inpreventing development of stains in the immediate area of the vanity andavoiding buildup of unwanted, caked-on materials requiring additionalcleanup in the area of the vanity by acting as an absorbent barriersurrounding the vanity.

The fabric of the pillow case of the vanity pillow product can beprovided in any combination of material type(s), such as but not limitedto cotton, cotton blends, silk, and linen, which facilitates absorbingand/or catching spills, splatters, or scatters occurring duringpersonal-care activities, and may be used for intentional wipe-up ofcosmetics applicators, brushes, clippers, combs, and other personal-caredevices. The pillow case may be further provided with a plurality ofridges having tufts of fringed fabric material to provide greatersurface area for absorption of liquids and collection of detritus. Aswell, the pillow case may be further equipped with pockets for theplacement and storage of cosmetic and personal hygiene accessories anddab cloths extending from the ends of the pillow case to allow formanual cleanup when necessary.

The tubular pillow portion of the present invention may be composed ofan outer covering made of water and mildew resistant material, such as100% cotton canvas duck cloth, with an inner portion hypoallergenicstuffing, such as 100% polyester batting. The tubular pillow may bepositioned and contained within the provided pillow case by use of aclosure wherein the shape and elasticity of the pillow case will retainthe (often) ovoid shape of the pillow. Fasteners may be provided toattach the ends of the pillow case in a desired position around a sinkor basin.

Placement of the vanity pillow around a sink or basin is advantageous asit helps prevent the escape of liquids and other unwanted scatter ofmaterials onto or around the sink or basin rim; provides a convenientspace-saving means of cleaning off or wiping hands, cosmeticapplicators, brushes, clippers, combs, and other personal-care devices;and allows a user to rest arms or elbows on a soft, absorbent surfacewhile performing personal-care or hygienic tasks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vanity pillow.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vanity pillow of FIG. 1 with theinternal tubular pillow removed from the pillow case.

FIG. 3 is a cross section view, along the vertical axis, of the vanitypillow of FIG. 1 depicting the internal makeup of the internal tubularpillow.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the vanitypillow depicting cleanup tabs and an integrated accessory pocket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 & 2, there isshown the vanity pillow 10 of Applicant's invention. The vanity pillow10 is comprised of an elongate tubular pillow case 12 surrounding anelongate tubular pillow 14. Tubular pillow 14 in turn is formed in anovoid or circular configuration similar to the shape of conventionalbathroom and vanity sinks. The ovoid or circular shape of pillow 14allows for vanity pillow 10 to surround and hug the edge of a sink orbasin. Pillow case 12 may be provided with a closure 18, such as that ofVelcro, buttons, or a zipper, to allow for the insertion of pillow 14within pillow case 12 and the fastening of pillow 14 within. Closure 18may run the length of pillow case 12 or may be positioned at one or bothend 13 a and/or 13 b, of pillow case 12. With tubular pillow 14 fedwithin pillow case 12, the vanity pillow 10 will form a suitable shapeto accommodate the shape and surround a sink, basin, or face bowl in apersonal vanity, bathroom, or kitchen.

Pillow case 12 is comprised of a suitable absorbent, machine-washablefabric material to provide a surface for upon which any spillage ofliquid and solid detritus may be absorbed and captured and where a usermay wipe and clean any personal hygiene products. Such absorbentmaterials may include, but are not limited to, 100% cotton, polyester,fleece, felt, canvas, muslin, or other type of fabric or combinationthereof. Pillow case 12 may further be formed with a plurality of fringerows 16 of ridges of projecting tufts of fringed fabric. The added tuftsof fringed fabric material of fringe rows 16 provide for greater surfacearea for contacting wiped personal hygiene applicators for collection ofliquids and detritus.

Now referring to FIG. 3 depicting a cross section view of tubular pillow14, tubular pillow 14 is composed of an outer covering 15 of anon-absorbent material to resist mold and mildew, such as 100% cottonduck cloth, with an inner stuffing 17 of a hypoallergenic batting, suchas 100% polyester, microbeads, foam, down, wool, buckwheat, lavender,hemp or other absorbent, machine-washable filling material so as to bepliable and allow for vanity pillow 10 to adjust and accommodate theshape of the sink or basin around which the vanity pillow 10 is to beaffixed. It is advantageous that outer covering 15 be of a non-absorbentmaterial so that there is no need for frequent washing of tubular pillow14.

In the event of a spill, the spill will be captured upon the absorbentmaterial of pillow case 12, wherein any dampness that might be presentwill be kept upon the non-absorbent outer surface 15 of tubular pillow14. For cleanup, the tubular pillow 14 may be removed from pillow case12 by opening closure 18 and removing pillow 14. Pillow case 12 may thenbe washed and any dampness which may remain on tubular pillow 14 willquickly dry on outer cover 15.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, pillow case 12 may be configured withtabs 20 at each end 13 a, 13 b. Each tab 20 may be provided with a clasp22 to attach ends 13 a, 13 b of tabs 20 to each other and form and holdthe vanity pillow 10 around a desired sink or basin. Clasps 22 may beconnected by tying each tab together or may be attached by Velcro, abutton and hole arrangement, hook and catch, or other clasping meansconventional in the art. Clasps 22 of pillow case 12 may also bepre-formed as an elastic band between each end 13 a, 13 b as to drawends 13 a, 13 b of pillow case 12 inward upon pillow 14 to allow forvanity pillow 10 to pull in upon the edge of a sink or basin.Alternatively, as can be seen in FIG. 4, ends 13 a/13 b of pillow case12 may remain unattached, relying upon the ovular shape of pillow 14 tomaintain pillow 10's shape, with ends 13 a/13 b further comprising dabcloths 24. Dab cloths 24 are intended to be a usable towel-likestructure on ends 13 a/13 b to allow a user to wipe up any spills ordebris which might occur near or around the sink or basin.

An accessory pocket 26 may further be provided upon pillow case 12 forplacement and storage of a user's cosmetic and hygiene productaccessories. After use, accessories may be cleaned, rinsed, and slidwithin accessory pocket 26 where the absorbent material of pillow case12 may soak up any adherent liquids and detritus while the accessorydries. Accessory pocket may further be used as a storage means forcontaining makeup applicators, bottles, soaps, containers, razors,toothbrushes, and other personal hygiene products. It is believed thatany number of accessory pockets 26 may be provided as needed upon pillowcase 12 as to provide adequate space for storage.

It will be evident that various other changes may be made in the form,construction and arrangement of the parts of the vanity pillow describedherein without departing from the spirit, scope, and material advantagesof the invention. It is thought that the vanity pillow presented hereinwill be understood from the foregoing description and that the formsdescribed herein are intended to be merely exemplary embodiments of theinvention, including forming tubular pillow 14 and pillow case 12 insquare or oblong shapes to accommodate differing shaped vanity sinks.

I claim:
 1. A vanity pillow apparatus comprising: (a) a tubular pillowcase having a first and second end; (b) a tubular pillow located withinsaid tubular pillow case, said tubular pillow having a circular or ovoidshape; and (c) a closure for closing said tubular pillow case aroundsaid tubular pillow.
 2. The vanity pillow apparatus recited in claim 1further comprising a plurality of ridges along said tubular pillow casecomposed of tufts of fringed fabric.
 3. The vanity pillow apparatusrecited in claim 2 further comprising tabs on said first and second endsof said tubular pillow case for connecting said first end to said secondend.
 4. The vanity pillow apparatus recited in claim 3, wherein saidtabs further comprise clasps for attaching said tab of said first end tosaid tab of said second end.
 5. The vanity pillow apparatus recited inclaim 2, wherein said first end and said tab of said second end areconnected by at least one elastic band.
 6. The vanity pillow apparatusrecited in claim 2, further comprising dab cloths at said first andsecond ends.
 7. The vanity pillow apparatus recited in claim 6, furthercomprising at least one accessory pocket formed in said pillow case. 8.A vanity pillow, comprising: (a) a tubular pillow case having a firstand second end, said pillow case having at least one dab cloth at saidfirst end or said second end; (b) a tubular pillow located within saidtubular pillow case, said tubular pillow having a circular or ovoidshape; (c) a closure for closing said tubular pillow case around saidtubular pillow; and (d) a plurality of fringed ridges along said tubularpillow case.
 9. The vanity pillow of claim 8, further comprising atleast one accessory pocket formed in said tubular pillow case.